Cercis plant named &#39;Ruby Falls&#39;

ABSTRACT

Cercis  ‘Ruby Falls’ is a new and distinct variety of redbud that has the following unique combination of desirable features that are outstanding in a new variety.
         1. Weeping growth habit.   2. Ease of asexual propagation using chip-budding.   3. Emerging foliage with deep purple color, transitioning to burgundy and eventually green during the growing season.   4. Bright purple flowers produced in abundance during the spring.

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e)of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/207,216 filed on Feb. 10, 2009.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES

Genus: Cercis (Leguminosae). Species: Cercis canadensis (eastern redbud)

CULTIVAR DENOMINATION

The inventive cultivar of Cercis canadensis disclosed herein has beengiven the cultivar denomination ‘Ruby Falls’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Cercis(redbud) grown as an ornamental tree for home and commercial landscapes.Redbud is typically grown as a small tree for its attractive purpleflowers that are borne in the spring, and sometimes for its interestingfoliage color (purple, variegated, or golden leaf forms) orarchitectural form.

The new and distinct cultivar of redbud resulted from a formal breedingprogram established by the inventors in Raleigh, N.C., United States.One of the objectives of the breeding program was to develop apurple-leaf form of redbud that exhibited the weeping growth habit.‘Ruby Falls’ originated as a second generation descendant from acontrolled cross (using caged trees and bumblebees) of Cercis canadensis‘Covey’×‘Forest Pansy’ (Cercis canadensis) made in 2001 in Raleigh, N.C.Trees of both cultivars established in 15-gallon pots were placed insidea screened enclosure to prevent insect visitation. A small hive ofbumblebees was placed inside each cage to facilitate pollen exchangebetween the 2 cultivars. Redbud is widely accepted as being aself-incompatible species, thus any fruit formed are almost always theresult of cross-pollination. Fruit and seed were obtained only on the‘Covey’ parent. ‘Covey’ (U.S. Plant Pat. 10,328) was introduced byBrotzman's Nursery Inc., Madison, Ohio in 1997 and is described as agreen leafed, weeping form of Cercis canadensis with light purpleflowers. ‘Forest Pansy’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,556) is a non-weeping,purple leaf form of eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) discovered in1947 by Forest Nursery in McMinnville, Tenn. Both parents are commonlyavailable in commerce.

The first generation seeds resulting from the 2001 hybridization wereharvested in fall of 2001 and germinated in a greenhouse at NorthCarolina State University, Raleigh, N.C. in the winter of 2002. Theresulting 19 first generation seedlings were planted in a field settingat a research station in Jackson Springs, N.C., isolated from otherredbuds, in spring 2002. These plants flowered in spring 2005, andsecond generation seed was collected that same year off of all plantsthat produced seed. This seed was germinated in a greenhouse in Raleigh,N.C. in December, 2005. From these approximately 400 seedlings, 42seedlings showing dark purple leaves and weeping growth habit wereselected and grown in the greenhouse in spring and summer, 2006. These42 seedlings were later transplanted to the field in November, 2006, andone plant, later designated NC2006-8, was selected as the bestindividual for its purple leaf color and weeping growth habit. Thisoriginal plant demonstrated characteristics identical to thosesubsequently expressed on other plants when propagated by chip budding.This single plant is the subject of the present invention ‘Ruby Falls’.

The distinguishing traits of ‘Ruby Falls’ are its distinctive purpleleaves in the spring, turning to burgundy and ultimately green later inthe summer, and its weeping growth habit. The cultural requirements for‘Ruby Falls’ are well-drained soil, full sun, and moderate moisture.‘Ruby Falls’ exhibits no serious pest or disease problems known to theinventors.

The closest comparisons known to the inventors are its grandparents,‘Forest Pansy’ and ‘Covey’. Plants and leaves of this new cultivardiffer from ‘Forest Pansy’. In direct comparisons of the 2 cultivars inthe inventor's experimental trials, plants of ‘Ruby Falls’ are weepingin growth, compared to the non-weeping growth of ‘Forest Pansy’. ‘RubyFalls’ differs from the ‘Covey’ grandparent in having purple leaves.‘Ruby Falls’ is clearly distinct from its original grandparents.

The first asexual propagation of ‘Ruby Falls’ was conducted by Alex andHarald Neubauer on behalf of the inventors in August, 2007 in Belvidere,Tenn. ‘Ruby Falls’ has subsequently been propagated in the same locationin August, 2008. In all cases, the original plant selection waspropagated asexually by chip budding in late summer onto Cerciscanadensis rootstock. Such budded trees heal rapidly, and resume normalgrowth the following spring after budding. Five plants derived from chipbudding of the cultivar were established in the inventor's test plots inJanuary, 2009. During all asexual propagation, the characteristics ofthe original plant have been maintained. Plants derived from chipbudding exhibit characteristics identical to those of the originalplant, and no aberrant phenotypes have appeared.

Performance evaluation of the original plant and budded treesdemonstrate this cultivar to be relatively consistent in itscharacteristics even under the different growing conditions associatedwith yearly climatic variation.

Plants of the new cultivar are vigorous after chip-budding in thenursery setting, growing up to 1.8 meters the year after fall budding.Plants are weeping in growth habit. Flowers are an attractive brightlavender color.

‘Ruby Falls’ is distinguished from other related known cultivars basedon the unique combination of traits including weeping growth habit andpurple leaf color during the spring and through mid-summer.

The new cultivar has been named the RUBY FALLS cultivar. No public saleof ‘Ruby Falls’ has yet taken place at the time of this application.First public sale is anticipated to occur in January, 2010.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘Ruby Falls’ is a new and distinct cultivar of redbud tree that has thefollowing unique combination of desirable features outstanding in a newcultivar. In combination these traits set ‘Ruby Falls’ apart from allother existing cultivars of redbud known to the inventors.

-   1. ‘RUBY FALLS’ has weeping growth habit.-   2. ‘RUBY FALLS’ is asexually propagated using chip budding.-   3. ‘RUBY FALLS’ has large, attractive purple leaves in the spring,    turning to burgundy and ultimately green as the growing season    progresses.-   4. ‘RUBY FALLS’ has attractive, bright purple flower color.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The photographs in the drawings were made using digital photographytechniques, and show the colors as true as reasonably possible bydigital photography. All photographs were taken from the originalfive-year-old tree growing at the Sandhills Research Station, JacksonSprings, N.C.

FIG. 1 shows a typical plant of ‘RUBY FALLS’, showing the weeping habitand purple leaves.

FIG. 2 shows the typical purple coloration and form of leaves of ‘RUBYFALLS’. This figure shows both recently formed and older leaves.

FIG. 3 shows the bright purple flowers of ‘RUBY FALLS’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed description of the botanical and ornamentalcharacteristics of the subject redbud ‘RUBY FALLS’. Color data are basedon The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The Royal HorticulturalSociety, London, 5^(th) edition, 2007. Where dimensions, sizes, colorsand other characteristics are given, it is to be understood that suchcharacteristics are approximations of averages set forth as accuratelyas practicable.

The descriptions reported herein are from the original three-year-oldtree growing at the research station in Jackson Springs, N.C.

-   Genus: Cercis.-   Species: Cercis canadensis.-   Denomination: ‘RUBY FALLS’.-   Commercial classification: Tree, deciduous.-   Common name: Redbud.-   Type: Ornamental.-   Uses: Small landscape tree for residential and commercial    landscapes.-   Cultural requirements: Full sun exposure, well-drained soil, and    moderate moisture.-   Parentage: Second generation selection derived from the    hybridization of Cercis canadensis (eastern redbud) ‘Covey’ and    Cercis canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’.-   Plant description:    -   -   Blooming period.—Early to mid spring, late March to early            April in central North Carolina.        -   Blooming habit.—Flower buds formed both on one-year-old            wood, and on older wood.        -   Vigor.—Moderate vigor.        -   Plant habit.—Weeping, well-branched.        -   Height and spread.—Height dictated by nursery management and            cultural practices. Can be trained as a ground cover, or a            small weeping tree typically up to six feet in height.            Spread generally 2-3 feet.        -   Hardiness.—To date, hardy to negative 12.8 degrees            Centigrade. Not tested below this temperature. Anticipated            adapted from USDA hardiness zones 6-9.        -   Propagation.—Chip-budding onto seedling rootstock, typically            in late summer in the southeastern U.S.        -   Root system.—Fibrous.        -   Seasonal interest.—Bright purple flowers in spring, and            large, purple leaves from spring through mid to late summer            on a weeping tree.        -   Disease and pest susceptibility and resistance.—No            particular susceptibility or resistance.        -   Special growing requirements.—None. Best grown in full sun            to partial shade in moderately well drained soil.-   Trunk:    -   -   Dimensions.—0.3 m circumference measured 0.15 m above soil            line.        -   Bark surface.—Slightly rugose.        -   Color.—Lighter sectors=blue-green (122D). Darker            sectors=grayed-green (188A).-   Stems:    -   -   Shape.—Stem cross section is circular.        -   Length.—Average 0.52 m of new growth yearly.        -   Color.—Yellow-green (N77A) on newly formed growth.            Yellow-green (144B) on dormant one-year-old shoots. Brown            (N200A) on two-year-old stems.        -   Diameter.—5 mm near terminal portion of stem on mature            one-year-old stems.        -   Stem surface.—Glaucous.        -   Pubescence.—Lacking.        -   Internode length.—3.9 cm between nodes.        -   Lenticels.—Numerous, tiny. Color (N200B), measured in early            spring. Circular.-   Foliage:    -   -   Type.—Deciduous.        -   Leaf arrangement.—Alternate.        -   Leaf division.—Simple.        -   Leaf shape.—Suborbicular (immature) to broad-ovate (mature).        -   Leaf base.—Cordate.        -   Leaf apex.—Obtuse.        -   Leaf venation.—Reticulate.        -   Leaf surface (abaxial and adaxial).—Glaucous.        -   Leaf margin.—Entire.        -   Leaf attachment.—Petiolate.        -   Petiole dimensions.—4.1 cm length. 2.0 mm width at base            tapering to 1.0 mm at apex (nearest to leaf blade).        -   Petiole shape.—Round.        -   Petiole color.—Purple (N77A) on immature leaf.        -   Petiole surface.—Smooth, lacking pubescence.        -   Leaf color (immature leaf).—Adaxial side=Purple (N77A).            Abaxial side=Purple (59A).        -   Leaf color (mature leaf).—Adaxial side=N137A. Abaxial            side=59A.        -   Vein color (abaxial surface).—Immature leaf (60A). Mature            leaf (59C).        -   Leaf length.—Average length (10 leaves)=7.8 cm from leaf tip            to base of midvein/apex of petiole. 8.8 cm from leaf tip to            base of leaf blade.        -   Leaf width.—Average width (10 leaves)=10.1 cm.        -   Foliar fragrance.—None detectable.        -   Stipules.—None present.        -   Causes for variation in color.—Under normal sunlight, new            foliage emerges deep purple (RHS N77A) that grades to            burgundy (RHS N137A) to green (RHS 147A) over the growing            season.-   Flowers:    -   -   Inflorescence.—Papillonaceous flowers arranged in a small            cluster.        -   Number of flowers per cluster.—3 to 7.        -   Arrangement.—Sessile clusters.        -   Location.—Nodes of previous years growth, and along older            stems and occassionally the trunk (cauliflory).        -   Length of bloom.—2-3 weeks, depending on weather conditions.        -   Flower length.—1.0 cm from base of calyx to tip of keel.        -   Flower width.—3-4 mm immediately prior to anthesis.        -   Flower depth.—6 mm.        -   Pedicel length.—1.2 cm.        -   Pedicel diameter.—0.5 mm.        -   Pedicel shape.—Round.        -   Pedicel color.—Purple group (71A).        -   Pedicel surface.—Smooth.        -   Flowers persistent or self-cleaning.—Self-cleansing.        -   Flower fragrance.—Lacking.        -   Lastingness of the overall inflorescence.—2-3 weeks.        -   Lastingness of an individual flower.—3-5 days.-   Flower bud:    -   -   Shape.—Broadly oval.        -   Color.—Purple group (N77A).        -   Surface.—Smooth.        -   Diameter.—1.0 to 1.5 mm.        -   Length.—4 to 5 mm.-   Petals:    -   -   Number.—5, lower 2 fused to form keel.        -   Petals fused or unfused.—3 unfused, 2 fused.        -   Standard (banner) color.—Tip=Purple (N78B). Base=Purple            (62D).        -   Keel petal color.—Tip=Purple (N78B). Base=Purple (62D).        -   Wing petal color.—Tip=Purple (N78B). Base=Purple (62D).        -   Petal surface (adaxial).—Smooth.        -   Petal surface (abaxial).—Smooth.        -   Petal margin.—Entire.-   Calyx:    -   -   Shape.—Vase-shaped.        -   Length.—4 mm.        -   Diameter.—5 mm.        -   Color (outer surface).—Purple (71A).        -   Color (inner surface).—Purple (71A).        -   Surface (inner).—Smooth.        -   Surface (outer).—Smooth.-   Sepals:    -   -   Number.—1 — fused.        -   Color (adaxial surface).—Purple (71A).        -   Color (abaxial surface).—Purple (71A).        -   Surface (adaxial surface).—Smooth.        -   Surface (abaxial surface).—Smooth.-   Reproductive organs:-   Pistil:    -   -   Dimensions.—1.0 cm length. 1-2 mm width.        -   Color.—Red-purple (59B).        -   Surface.—Smooth.-   Stigma:    -   -   Shape.—Elliptical.        -   Length.—Less than 1 mm.        -   Width.—Less than 1 mm.        -   Color.—Red-purple (59B).-   Style:    -   -   Length.—Less than 1 mm.        -   Width.—Less than 1 mm.        -   Color.—Red-purple (60D).-   Stamens:    -   -   Number.—10.        -   Fused or unfused at base.—9 fused at base. 1 free.        -   Length.—8 mm.        -   Width.—Less than 1 mm.        -   Color (filament).—Red-purple (59B).-   Anthers:    -   -   Shape.—Round to slightly oblong.        -   Length.—Less than 1 mm.        -   Width.—Less than 1 mm.        -   Color.—Red-purple (59B). Immediately prior to anthesis.-   Pollen:    -   -   Color.—Yellow group (9B).        -   Amount.—Abundant.-   Ovary:    -   -   Position.—Superior.        -   Shape.—Elongate.        -   Length.—1 cm.        -   Width.—1.0 mm, tapering to les than 1 mm.        -   Color.—Red-purple (59B).-   Fruit: No fruit or seed produced to date. Lack of pod production    likely due to the young age of the plant.-   Herbarium voucher: A voucher of ‘Ruby Falls’ will be deposited into    the Herbarium of North Carolina State University (NCSU) in Raleigh,    N.C., USA upon patenting.

1. A new and distinct variety of redbud tree (Cercis) substantially asillustrated and described, characterized by its weeping growth habit,attractive purple foliage, and purple flower color.